What makes a female movie character one of the greatest of all time?

A female movie character becomes one of the greatest of all time when she has a strong, memorable presence, exhibits emotional depth, and is relatable or inspiring to the audience. These characters often break stereotypes, display resilience and determination, and have a significant impact on the story, leaving a lasting impression on viewers.

How have female movie characters evolved over time?

Female movie characters have evolved over time to become more complex, empowered, and diverse. Early representations often portrayed women as passive or one-dimensional, but today's female characters are more likely to have their own agency, unique personalities, and stories that don't solely revolve around male counterparts. This evolution reflects societal changes and growing awareness of the importance of representation in media.

What impact do strong female characters have on audiences?

Strong female characters can have a significant impact on audiences by providing representation, inspiring empowerment, and challenging gender stereotypes. These characters offer diverse perspectives and role models, showing women and girls that they can take on various roles and succeed in different areas of life. They also help to promote inclusivity and equality in storytelling.

How can filmmakers continue to improve the representation of women in movies?

Filmmakers can improve the representation of women in movies by creating more well-rounded, complex female characters, giving them equal screen time, and ensuring their stories are not solely defined by their relationships with men. In addition, filmmakers should strive for diverse representation in terms of ethnicity, age, body type, and other aspects to provide a more accurate reflection of the real world and offer a wider range of role models for audiences.

50 Greatest Female Movie Characters of All Time ...

Supermoms and warriors, vamps and tramps, bitches and witches, we can’t but help love it more when there’s a female character we just can’t get enough of, instead of the spotlight being on the man/men of the piece. I’ve made my list of the greatest movie characters (in no particular order). I know you’ll have your own ideas so when you get to the end, please tell me who you think deserves to be included.

1. Baby

Movie – Dirty Dancing (1987) Actress – Jennifer Grey

Daddy’s little princess grows up.

“Nobody puts Baby in a corner.”

2. Holly Golightly

Movie – Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1961) Actress – Audrey Hepburn

She plays hard and parties harder.

“I'll never get used to anything. Anybody that does, they might as well be dead.”

3. Hermione Granger

Movie – The Harry Potter Series Actress – Emma Watson

An intelligent geek-girl who can do wonders with a wand.

“I hope you’re pleased with yourselves. We could all have been killed – or worse, expelled.”

4. Ellen Ripley

Movie – The Alien Series Actress – Sigourney Weaver

Woman, Mother, Saint. Warrior. Survivor .

“How do we kill it, Ash? There's gotta be a way of killing it. How? How do we do it?”

5. Marge Gunderson

Movie – Fargo (1996) Actress – Frances McDormand

A persistent and very pregnant policewoman.

“I guess that was your accomplice in the wood chipper.”

6. Scarlett O’Hara

Movie – Gone with the Wind (1939) Actress – Vivien Leigh

A dynamic force who doesn’t let war get in the way of getting on with life.

“If I have to lie, steal, cheat or kill. As God is my witness, I'll never be hungry again.”

7. Jean Brodie

Movie – The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie (1969) Actress – Maggie Smith

A liberated teacher who values love, politics and art over math and geography.

“Give me a girl at an impressionable age and she is mine for life.”

8. Clarice Starling

Movie – The Silence of the Lambs (1991) and Hannibal Actress – Jodie Foster

A hot shot FBI agent haunted by the screaming of the lambs and an object of affection for a human cannibal.

“You're very frank, Clarice. I think it would be quite something to know you in private life.”

9. Mary Poppins

Movie – Mary Poppins (1964) Actress – Julie Andrews

Practically perfect in every way.

“Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious.”

10. Princess Leia

Movie – Star Wars episodes IV, V, VI Actress – Carrie Fisher

Royalty turned revolutionary with a soft spot for scoundrels and more than a spot of Jedi blood.

“Why, you stuck up, half-witted, scruffy-looking Nerf herder.”

11. Sugar Kane Kowalczyk

Movie – Some Like it Hot (1959) Actress – Marilyn Monroe

A girl so sweet you can’t but help love her.

“Story of my life. I always get the fuzzy end of the lollipop.”

12. Vivian Ward

Movie – Pretty Woman (1990) Actress – Julia Roberts

Prostitute gets a Pygmalion-style makeover into a modern-day princess.

“Big mistake. Big. Huge. I have to go shopping now.”

13. Annie Porter

Movie – Speed (1994) Actress – Sandra Bullock

Just a normal gal on her way to work on the bus.

“I should probably tell you that I'm taking the bus because I had my driver's license revoked. [Jack: What for?] Speeding.”

14. Barbarella

Movie – Barbarella (1968) Actress – Jane Fonda

Futuristic space cadet from an era when people thought sex could solve all of the world's problems (i.e.the '60s).

“Listen, you kids, untie me or I'll call your parents!”

15. Marquise De Merteuil

Movie – Dangerous Liaisons (1988) Actress – Glenn Close

A lady who is in the business of ruining lives for her own sexual pleasure.

“When one woman strikes at the heart of another she seldom misses, and the wound is invariably fatal.”

16. Sarah Connor

Movie – The Terminator Series Actress – Linda Blair

The badass legend of Earth's post-apocalyptic future.

“Oh, come on. Do I look like the mother of the future? I mean am I tough, organized? I can't even balance my checkbook!”

17. Mrs. Robinson

Movie – The Graduate (1967) Actress – Anne Bancroft

You have an affair with a graduate, but he dumps you for your daughter.

“Mrs. Robinson, you're trying to seduce me.”

18. Catherine Tramell

Movie – Basic Instinct (1992) Actress – Sharon Stone

A beautiful and seductive woman capable of murder.

“You know I don't like to wear any underwear, don't you, Nick?”

19. Mia Wallace

Movie – Pulp Fiction (1994) Actress – Uma Thurman

An eye for fashion, an ear for a tune, and a nose for cocaine.

“I do believe Marsellus Wallace, my husband, your boss, told you to take ME out and do WHATEVER I WANTED. Now I wanna dance, I wanna win. I want that trophy, so dance good.”

20. Mrs. Danvers

Movie – Rebecca (1940) Actress – Judith Anderson

Deranged housekeeper who mentally torments the second Mrs de Winter for not living up to the standard set by her predecessor, the eponymous Rebecca.

“Look down there. It's easy, isn't it? Why don't you? Why don't you? Go on. Go on. Don't be afraid...”

21. Sally Albright

Movie – When Harry Met Sally (1989) Actress – Meg Ryan

Can men and women really be friends?

“I’ll have what she’s having!”

22. Dorothy Gale

Movie – The Wizard of Oz (1939) Actress – Judy Garland

There’s no place like home

“I don’t think we’re in Kansas anymore, Toto.”

23. Annie Wilkes

Movie – Misery (1980) Actress – Kathy Bates

Crazed fangirl who takes drastic action when her favorite character is killed off.

“I'm your number one fan. There's nothing to worry about. You're going to be just fine. I will take good care of you. I'm your number one fan.”

24. Susan Vance

Movie – Bring Up Baby (1938) Actress – Kathryn Hepburn

When she sets her sights on something she gets it in her own way – even when it’s a paleontologist … and a leopard.

"'He's three years old, gentle as a kitten, and likes dogs.' I wonder whether Mark means that he eats dogs or is fond of them?"

25. Jessica Rabbit

Movie – Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988) Actress – voiced by Kathleen Turner

More curves and sex appeal than is decent for a rabbit.

“You don't know how hard it is being a woman looking the way I do.”

26. Mildred Pierce

Movie – Mildred Pierce (1945) Actress – Joan Crawford

A formidable woman who raises herself up to become a restaurant owner to provide for her daughter who loathes her.

“Friendship's much more lasting than love.”

27. Sally Bowles

Movie – Cabaret (1972) Actress – Liza Minelli

She hides her vulnerability, distracting herself with parties, men, and a cabaret as the Nazis come to power.

“My God! It's enough to drive a girl into a convent! Do they have Jewish nuns?”

28. Lisbeth Salander

Movie – The Millenium Trilogy Actress – Rooney Mara

A pierced punk avenger who busts heads in the name of justice.

“If you touch me I'll more than alarm you.”

29. The Bride

Movie – Kill Bill I and II Actress – Uma Thurman

A kick ass gal in a yellow tracksuit.

“When do you want to die? Tomorrow? The day after tomorrow?”

30. Lara

Movie – Doctor Zhivago (1965) Actress – Julie Christie

Sometimes victim, sometimes active agent, Lara teeters between suffering at the hands of the men around her, and trying to utilize them for her own benefit.

“We'd have got married, had a house and children. If we'd had children, Yuri, would you like a boy or girl?”

31. Ilsa Lund

Movie – Casablanca (1942) Actress – Ingrid Bergman

A woman torn between her husband and a former lover.

"Play it, Sam. Play 'As Time Goes By.'"

32. Clementine Kruczynski

Movie – Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004) Actress – Kate Winslet

A rainbow haired kook who thrives in an existential hell.

“Sometimes I don't think people realize how lonely it is to be a kid. Like... you don't matter.”

33. Marnie Edgar

Movie – Marnie (1964) Actress – Tippi Hedren

A frigid kleptomaniac haunted by a terrible childhood memory, blackmailed into marriage.

“You don't love me. I'm just something you've caught! You think I'm some sort of animal you've trapped!”

34. Nic

Movie – The Kids Are All Right (2010) Actress – Annette Benning

Alcohol-dependent Nic struggles to balance her job as a busy doctor, her spouse, and her children.

“Yeah? Well, I need your observations like I need a dick in my ass!”

35. Carrie White

Movie – Carrie (1976) Actress – Sissy Spacek

Browbeaten by her religious mother and shunned by classmates, she turns her gift of telekinesis against her tormenters.

“I'm goin', Mama. You can't stop me. And I don't wanna talk about it anymore.”

36. Regina George

Movie – Mean Girls (2004) Actress – Rachel McAdams

A high school villain and a mean girl who fits all the stereotypes.

“Raise your hand if you have ever been personally victimized by Regina George?”

37. Margo Channing

Movie – All About Eve (1950) Actress – Bette Davis

Making a mistake about a she-wolf in lamb's clothing for a fan causes her to lose her husband and career.

“Fasten your seatbelts, it's going to be a bumpy night!”

38. Katniss Everdeen

Movie – The Hunger Games Trilogy Actress – Jennifer Lawrence

A teenager prepared to make the ultimate sacrifice of her life for another but becomes the spearhead of a revolution.

“I volunteer! I volunteer! I volunteer as tribute!”

39. Kathryn Merteuil

Movie – Cruel Intentions Actress – Sarah Michelle Gellar

Over-sexed and deliciously evil, she seems more like a male fantasy sometimes than a real person.

“My advice is to sleep with as many people as possible.”

40. Minny Jackson

Movie – The Help (2011) Actress – Olivia Spencer

Unwilling to take crap in her work life and struggling against an abusive marriage, Minny is bright, resistant, and braver and kinder than she thinks.

“Fried chicken just tend to make you feel better about life.”

41. Nurse Ratched

Movie – One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (1975) Actress – Louise Fletcher

Strict, self-important, and sneaky. Don’t defy her; you'll be sorry you did.

“The best thing we can do is go on with our daily routine.”

42. Olive Pendergast

Movie – Easy A (2010) Actress – Emma Stone

Why women shouldn’t feel pressure to be sexually active just for the sake of others, and why staying true to yourself is a virtue.

“The rumors of my promiscuity have been greatly exaggerated.”

43. ‘Baby’ Jane Hudson

Movie – Whatever Happened to Baby Jane (1962) Actress – Bette Davis

Payback’s a bitch and that bitch is in the form of Baby Jane

“I didn't bring your breakfast because you didn't eat your din-din!”

44. Bridget Jones

Movie – Bridget Jones’s Diary and others Actress – Renée Zellweger

She manages to be a hero and anti-hero. Bridget is the modern day girl, living (read struggling) with modern day life and modern day men.

“Thank you, Daniel, that is very good to know. But if staying here means working within 10 yards of you, frankly, I'd rather have a job wiping Saddam Hussein's arse.”

45. Cher Horowitz

Movie – Clueless (1995) Actress – Alicia Silverstone

A complex young woman who appears empty headed and shallow but is actually bettering herself by helping others.

“Do you prefer 'fashion victim' or 'ensembly challenged'?”

46. Lara Croft

Movie – The Lara Croft Series Actress – Angelina Jolie

The woman who proved beauty was no barrier to being an action hero.

“I woke up this morning and I just hated everything.”

47. Joan Crawford

Movie – Mommie Dearest (1981) Actress – Faye Dunaway

The epitome of a control freak.

“No... wire... hangers. What's wire hangers doing in this closet when I told you: no wire hangers EVER?”

48. Carmen Jones

Movie – Carmen Jones (1954) Actress – Dorothy Dandridge

Shaped by circumstance, she lives every moment like her last and destroys the men drawn to her.

“'Scuse my dust, gentlemen. The air's gettin' mighty unconditioned 'round here.”

49. Muriel Heslop

Movie – Muriel’s Wedding (1994) Actress – Toni Collette

She has plenty of insecurities but outgrows them all.

“You’re terrible, Muriel.”

50. Miranda Priestley

Movie – The Devil Wears Prada (2006) Actress – Meryl Streep

A complicated and intriguing villainous boss bitch.

“Oh, don't be silly – EVERYONE wants this. Everyone wants to be us.”

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes a female movie character one of the greatest of all time?: A female movie character becomes one of the greatest of all time when she has a strong, memorable presence, exhibits emotional depth, and is relatable or inspiring to the audience. These characters often break stereotypes, display resilience and determination, and have a significant impact on the story, leaving a lasting impression on viewers.
How have female movie characters evolved over time?: Female movie characters have evolved over time to become more complex, empowered, and diverse. Early representations often portrayed women as passive or one-dimensional, but today's female characters are more likely to have their own agency, unique personalities, and stories that don't solely revolve around male counterparts. This evolution reflects societal changes and growing awareness of the importance of representation in media.
What impact do strong female characters have on audiences?: Strong female characters can have a significant impact on audiences by providing representation, inspiring empowerment, and challenging gender stereotypes. These characters offer diverse perspectives and role models, showing women and girls that they can take on various roles and succeed in different areas of life. They also help to promote inclusivity and equality in storytelling.
How can filmmakers continue to improve the representation of women in movies?: Filmmakers can improve the representation of women in movies by creating more well-rounded, complex female characters, giving them equal screen time, and ensuring their stories are not solely defined by their relationships with men. In addition, filmmakers should strive for diverse representation in terms of ethnicity, age, body type, and other aspects to provide a more accurate reflection of the real world and offer a wider range of role models for audiences.

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